Vietnam Down South at Hanoi Hannah

A Vietnamese hawker kitchen has opened up just off Chapel Street, serving pho, noodles and banh mi rolls.

Photography: Josie Withers

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Photography: Josie Withers

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Photography: Josie Withers

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Published on 22 February 2012

by Emma Guthrie

Noticing a serious lack of hawker-style food in Melbourne’s southeast, The Saint’s Simon Blacher and Paul Nguyen, together with Nick Coulter of Sarti in the CBD, have crafted a fresh and affordable offering from a hawker kitchen just off bustling Chapel Street.

Similar in style to many of the restaurants along Victoria Street in Richmond and Abbotsford – though perhaps without the picture menus and bland décor – rather than blending Asian cuisines, Hanôi Hannah’s menu is made up entirely of traditional Vietnamese street-eats, albeit offering a few modern twists (think pork belly sliders).

The most expensive item on the menu is a low $13, with the three phô dishes (beef, chicken and mixed mushroom) a standout and options including crispy betel leaf cigars, DIY kingfish rice paper rolls, a shredded duck and glass noodle salad, not to mention the ever-popular banh mi rolls.

Washed down with a lychee and lemongrass caipiroska or a jug of white wine sangria, Hanôi Hannah is cheap and a cheerful dinner option to enjoy with friends, and a nod to the fiery Asian influence we are seeing in popular, casual eateries such as Chin Chin and MissChu’s tuckshop.

All food is made to order and is available to eat onsite or to take away.